The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-12
Old National Road Inn-Keepers.

Keepers in times past on the Old Ma
tional Road, closed with Truman
Fairall, at Little Meadows. His i'm
mediate successor was Jonathan
Huddleson. He was a very promi-
nent man for many years in OLD Allie
gany county in different shades of
life. Born in one of the lower coun,
ties--Montgomery, perhaps. He re-
sided in Flintstone, Allegany county,
for number of years, and kept
MOTEL there in the old Davis house,
with store annexed. Was elected
to the Legislature in 1887 and '3S, as
Democrat, with such staunch men
AS John Neff, NJ. G. Shregg and Dan'l
Biocher. This success, as in most
cases, sharpened his appetite fer
further .preferment. In lS41 or '42,
he was appointed by Gov. Frank
Thomas, superintendent of the Ma
tional Road, place of great inf1u-
ence and desirability, though the
salary was only $500 per year, with
some condiments. His administra-
ton was energetic and efficient.
In the spring of 1912 he moved to
the Stone House with large family
and number of employees of the
two races. We recall with pleasure
the presence of John Coulehan in
splendid youth and appearance, as
store clerk, now Chief Judge of the
Orphans Court of Allegany county.
Huddleson resided here six years,
and ran the house all the while with
much success, combining with it
farming on large scale, and mer-
chandising as tributary. He was
tirsl-class man at his business, and
gave great prominence to the Old
Stone house as stage stand and other
traffic. Here he received, and enter
tanned some of the great statesmen
of the Nation. President Polk dined
"S'S "hCh VII llo way W w dSHlIS-
ton tc take his seat. This was field
day for the polite host. The Stone
house was gay and attractive place
these six years. The invalid came
from afar for the cure of ailments by
the delightful atmosphere, scenery
and waters, and the we'll for the en-
joyment of the same elements in ma.
lure, that ailments might not come
to them.
Huddleson was intelligent, genial,
gentiemanly and hOspitable-some-
what imperious and petulent, how
ever, could swear on allowable and
even other occasions. There were fire.
quent changes of clerks in his store
just across the way. Once one of his
labOrers Was called to fill a sudden
vacancy one morning just as the head
of the Bureau was going away. Dur.
ing the day country customer called
at the store, and enquired for the
price of coffee. The new clerk re.
piled he did not know exactly, but
supposed dollar a bushel. Soon
there was an empty sack and lone
dollar in the till. But in the even.
ing there was some terrific swear
ing. Tradition has kept alive but
one clause of the formula, which was
about thus: "Who ever heard of
coffee selling for a dollar bushel be.
tween HI, Liverpool and Jourdan."
But he quit in dispair of justice to
such provOcation. After living a
year or two in Grantsyille, he moved
to Preston county, w. Va, where in
time he was elected to the State Sem
ate. and was a member when the old
dominion" attempted the political
impossibility of seeding from the
Union. He was not in harmony with
his constituents in the great crisis,
and left the new and went to the old
State. He yet survives in the valley
of Virginia at very great age. He
must now have passed all his eigh-
ties. Peace be with him for the REIN
nant of far reaching life.
Some years later B. L. Garlitz kept
the same hotel for six years, when
the road was in its decline. He was
made jailer for Sheriff Thomas g.
McCulloh in 1861. and was elected
sheriff in 1868, for two years, and is
still living. Then came G. L. Lay
man for several years. He, too. made
the hotel business a basis for the
sheriffalty. and was elected for the old
county in 1869. and Is once more
hotel keeper in Cumberland.
We now part company reluctantly
with this favored and favorite spot.
the scene of many of youths highest
and purest pleasures and delights in
the long unliving past. still its feeble
watts bring back fragrant recollec-
tiOns of things once real and we pass